Lap table for reading and writing



Filed April 16, 1957 March 18, 1958 J. M. SAUNDERS 2,826,857

' LAP TABLE FOR READING AND WRITING l 2 SheetsSheet 1 2.55 JM5A UNJDERS /6 INVENTOR 1 I m BY v I I ATTORNEYS.

March 18, 1958 J. M. SAUNDERS 2,8 6,

I LAP TABLE FOR READING AND WRITING I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1957 United States Patent LAP TABLE FOR READING AND WRITING John M. Saunders, Portsmouth, Va.

Application April 16, 1957, Serial No. 653,091

1 Claim. (Cl. 45-80) This invention relates to a folding lap table for reading and writing purposes, the primary object of the invention being to provide a lap table of this character which may be conveniently supported on the lap, the top or table board being pivotally connected to the base or supporting board of the device so that the table top or board may be readily and easily adjusted to the desired inclined position for the convenience of the user.

An important object of the invention is to provide a lap table wherein the top or table board thereof may be adjusted to various inclined positions and automatically held in such adjusted positions by merely swinging the top or table board forwardly on the base board, eliminating the necessity of using securing'means, such as thumb screws, bolts or the like, and without the necessity of removing the table from the lap.

Another object of the invention is to provide in addition to the table top, an ash receiver and pencil holder as a part thereof and which will be in easy reach for the convenience of the person using the lap table.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a lap table, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof.

'Fig. 3 is a plan view of the table in its folded position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 3.

Referring in the drawings in detail, the table comprises a baseboard 5 which is preferably rectangular in forma tion, one edge thereof being curved at 6 to fit over the I body of the person using the lap table.

The reference character 7 indicates the table top which is connected along its lower edge to said baseboar 5, by means of hinges 8.

Hingedly connected to the baseboard 5 adjacent to the rear edge thereof, by means of the hinge 9, is a prop 10, the free end thereof being pointed at 11 to fit within recesses 12 formed in the rear surface of the table top 7, as better shown by Fig. 4, of the drawings. A coiled spring 13 has one of its ends connected to the prop near its pivot, the opposite end of the spring being secured to the rear surface of the table top, by means of the screw 14. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the spring is placed under tension when the table top 7 is swung upwardly to the desired position for reading, with the result that the table top 7 is biased towards the pointed end 11 of the prop 10. It follows that should it be desired to adjust the table top to increase the angle of the table top with respect to the base- "Ice board 5, it is only necessary to draw the table top towards the curved edge or front of the table, since the prop bearing against the rear surface of the table top will find its way into one of the recesses 12, and support the table top in the desired inclined position.

Secured to the table top 7 adjacent to the forward edge thereof is a supporting ledge 15 which provides a support for a book or tablet being used with the lap table.

The reference character 16 indicates a head secured in the rear surface of the table top 7 adjacent to the outer or free edge of the table top, and this head is designed to fit in the socket 17 secured to the upper surface of the baseboard 5, when the table top 7 is swung downwardly to a position in parallel relation with the baseboard 5, holding the top against accidental pivotal movement.

Removably secured on the baseboard 5 in easy access to the user of the lap table, is an ash receiver 18, which may be of any desired construction, for the convenience of the user in smoking while using the lap table. Secured to the table top below the supporting ledge 15, is a pencil holder 19 so that a pencil may be retained on the lap table at all times.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a lap table designed for convenience in supporting a book while reading or supporting a tablet or paper for writing purposes, the lap table being so designed that it may be con-' veniently folded into a small or compact article for carrying or storage purposes, and at the same time providing a structure which may be readily moved to its supporting position without the necessity of the person operating thumb screws, bolts or the like securing mechanism.

For the sake of illustration, the book is shown in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings, and indicated by the reference character A.

It might be further stated that suitable cushioning members may be secured on the lower surface of the board 5 to prevent damage to furniture surfaces when it is desirable to support the lap table on furniture such as highly polished tables.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A folding lap table comprising a baseboard, a table top hingedly connected along one of its longitudinal edges to said baseboard inwardly of the front edge of said baseboard to provide a normally horizontal front shelf, a prop pivotally connected to said baseboard adjacent to the rear edge thereof, said prop comprising an arm, said table top having recesses formed in the rear surface thereof and disposed in a line and spaced from each other, said prop adapted to engage within a selected recess supporting said table top in a position inclined with respect to said baseboard, a coil spring connected between the base of said prop and a point on said table top spaced from the hinged connection thereof normally urg-' ing the table top downwardly to its folded position, a head carried by the rear surface of said table top, and a socket carried by the top of said base in which said head seats when said top is swung downwardly to parallel position relative to said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

